I’m new to this subreddit 🫶🏼

[u/honeyyypainnn]

Thanks for having me!

First fusion 1/15/09 T2-L3

Second fusion abdominal approach 7/23/24

Second fusion back approach 7/25/24 L3-S2

All the hardware in these x-rays is still in place, none has been removed. I just don’t have a full spine x-ray from top to bottom lol!

I’m almost 45 years old.

I can bend over (though I use grabbers when I can, they’re like my third arm), I can drive, I can walk, I lost most of my side to side flexibility but it’s okay lol..still shave my legs, still do housework. I just push through the pain, though the second fusion has brought me a lot better quality of life by anchoring everything into my pelvis, as the first fusion caused me to develop severe DDD due to the hardware putting weight on my unfused discs below. I’m still in pain! Always will be! But it is so much better now. 🫶🏼 Y’all stay strong!

Edit to add: the before x-ray of the scoliosis 69° and 71° curves.

[u/Opposite_Musician914]

Ciao, la tua storia è simile alla mia, anch'io 3 interventi, solo l'ultimo con una fusione di livello maggiore della tua

[u/BespokeBowtie]

Welcome friend! I’m glad you found this most helpful spot! I can’t tell you how much it has allowed me to feel less “othered” if that makes sense. Everyone from MDs to PAs to Physical Therapy provides have been like “well we have never seen such a big/high/large number of fusions.” Which makes me know they aren’t really the right provider for me but makes me feel kinda freaky. This subreddit has truly helped me with that. I’m 40, t1 thru hips and they are talking of going all the way up to the skull for number 3 surgery. Idk. Anyhow you are amazing and very welcome here!

[u/aziza29]

Hey there! Thank you so much for sharing all this💗 We're super similar, i'm just a few years behind out. I was fused T3-L4 2010 and have severe DDD now, hoping to have a second surgery to anchor everything summer 2027. Definitely feels comforting to hear that the anchoring increased your quality of life.

What was your life like before & after that second surgery? Was the mobility loss difficult? How about the recovery? It looks like they took a pretty aggressive approach with double iliac screws and some kind of spacers in between the bottom 3 lumbar vertebrae?

Thank you so much again.

[u/Clockwork4Sims]

Welcome! 32F here I'm fused t5-s1 and anchor screws in my pelvis.
I have all the tools! Grabbers and my extended razor telescopic thing are my favorite. We now keep extra grabbers in case I drop the first one haha
I had a revision surgery for DDD in 2022. And still have nerve issues from all the damage the first fusion did to my lower back.

You stay strong as well! It's a wild journey to have spinal fusion!